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2012 Fantasy Baseball Deep Sleepers

Who are some players that may be worth a late-round flier?

— by Mark Ross, published on March 8, 2012

When it comes to fantasy baseball, you pretty much know what you’re getting in players like Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Roy Halladay, and other sure-fire lottery picks. However, only one owner in a given league can lay claim to each of these fantasy studs.

With 30 teams and 25 players on each roster come Opening Day, there’s more than enough supply to fill out a roster. Here are some names at each position that you won’t find on Athlon Sports’ consensus Top 150 that may be worth a look later in your draft as well as some that you may want to keep your eye on once the season starts.

Note: Players are listed at the position(s) they are currently eligible. Some of these players may gain eligibility at additional position(s) once season starts, depending on your league's eligibility requirements.

Late-Round TargetWilson Ramos, WAS, C
Washington acquired Ramos as part of the trade that sent Matt Capps to Minnesota in July 2010. In 2011, all the 24-year-old backstop did in his first full season with the Nationals was hit .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs in 113 games. He should get even more plate opportunities this season and a .270-20-80 line is entirely possible.Other candidates: J.P. Arencibia (TOR, C), Jonathan Lucroy (MIL, C), Geovany Soto (CHC, C)

For Even Deeper LeaguesRyan Doumit, C, MIN
Doumit is known more for his bat than his glove, which has limited his opportunities. However, when he has been given the chance to play, he's produced. In 2008, he posted a .318-15-69 line along with 34 doubles and 71 runs scored in just 116 games. Injuries have been an issue for Doumit, who played in just 77 games last year for the Pirates, but now he’s in the American League with Minnesota so he should get a fair amount of at bats as the Twins’ DH. He’s also another Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau injury away from even more plate opportunities.Others worth considering: Devin Mesoraco (C, CIN), Sal Perez (C, KC)

First Base:

Late-Round TargetGaby Sanchez, MIA, 1B
In 2010 and '11 Sanchez scored the exact same number of runs (72) and hit the same number of home runs (19) each season. He also finished each season with roughly the same number of hits, doubles and RBIs. He has been steady, but not spectacular, so the question becomes is .270-19-80 his ceiling? Perhaps not considering he posted a .293-13-50 line, along with 22 doubles and 46 runs scored in the first half of 2011 before cooling off considerably (.225-6-28) after the All-Star break. If anything, he’s certainly worth late-round consideration and could become a steal should he take that next step in 2012.Other candidates: Carlos Lee (HOU, 1B/OF), Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B), Mark Trumbo (LAA, 1B/OF)

For Even Deeper LeaguesMitch Moreland, 1B/OF, TEX
Moreland was bothered by a wrist injury the second half of last season that greatly hampered his production at the plate. After hitting 11 home runs in the first half, he managed just five in his final 56 games. He underwent surgery on the troublesome wrist in late November and should be good to go by Opening Day or shortly thereafter. Texas ended up passing on free agent Prince Fielder, so the starting job at first base should still be Moreland's, which also guarantees him a spot in the Rangers’ potent line up.Others worth considering: Brandon Belt (1B/OF, SF), Mike Carp (1B/OF, SEA), Lucas Duda (NYM, 1B/OF), Adam LaRoche (1B, WAS)

Second Base:

Late-Round TargetJemile Weeks, OAK, 2BRickie, Jemile’s older brother, most likely will be the first Weeks sibling drafted this year, but that may not be the case in 2013. Jemile more than held his own after making his major-league debut last June, batting .303 with 26 doubles, eight triples, 22 stolen bases and 50 runs scored in 97 games. Oakland’s offense will probably be among the worst in baseball next season, but Weeks should still serve as a valuable source of steals and runs scored, just the sort of production you are looking for in a middle infielder taken late in the draft, no?Other candidates: Danny Espinosa (WAS, 2B), Aaron Hill (ARI, 2B), Ryan Roberts (ARI, 2B/3B)

For Even Deeper LeaguesJohnny Giavotella, 2B, KC
Giavotella got his first taste of the majors last August and is penciled in as the Royals’ starting second baseman in 2012. A career .305 hitter in the minors with good plate discipline, Giavotella did a little of everything (20 R, 9 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB) in his 46-game debut. Over the course of a full season, he could be a sneaky source for runs and possibly stolen bases.Others worth considering: Jose Altuve (2B, HOU), Mike Aviles, (2B/SS/3B, BOS), Alexi Casilla (2B/SS, MIN)

Shortstop:

Late-Round TargetStephen Drew, ARI, SS
Drew produced a .278-15-61 line in 2010 and was on his way to even bigger numbers in 2011 before a broken ankle ended his season shortly after the All-Star break. At the time, Drew was on pace to score more than 80 runs and drive in more than 80 with about 40 doubles. It remains to be seen if Drew will be ready to go on Opening Day, but even if he isn’t any shortstop capable of hitting more than 20 home runs (21 in 2008) is someone worth monitoring.Other candidates: Jhonny Peralta (DET, SS), Marco Scutaro (COL, SS)

For Even Deeper LeaguesZack Cozart, SS, CIN
Cozart got off to a hot start (.324, 2 HR in 11 games) after making his major league debut last summer before suffering a season-ending elbow injury on July 23. He ended up having Tommy John surgery, but is expected to be the Reds’ starting shortstop come Opening Day. A .270 hitter in the minors, the 26-year-old has also shown decent power and speed, as he hit 17 home runs and stole 30 bases in AAA in 2010.Others worth considering: Mike Aviles, (2B/SS/3B, BOS), Willie Bloomquist (SS/OF, ARI), Alexi Casilla (2B/SS, MIN), Jed Lowrie (SS/3B, HOU), Tyler Pastornicky (SS, ATL)

Third Base:

Late-Round TargetMike Moustakas, KC, 3B
Moustakas was brought up from the minors about a month after Eric Hosmer, but didn’t enjoy the same kind of early success as that of his fellow left-handed hitting teammate. In June and July, Moustakas hit just .198 with one home run and 10 RBIs. He started figuring things out in August (.283) and really turned it on in September, batting .352 with four home runs in his final 22 games. Hosmer will most likely post better overall numbers for the Royals in 2012, but don’t be surprised if Moustakas out-homers him. The former No. 2 overall pick hit 10 in 55 games in AAA prior to his call up last June.Other candidates: Chipper Jones (ATL, 3B), Martin Prado (ATL, 3B/OF), Ryan Roberts (ARI, 2B/3B)

For Even Deeper LeaguesIan Stewart, 3B, CHC
Last season (.156, 0 HR, 6 RBI in 48 games) was an utter disaster for Stewart no matter which way you look at it. He now gets a chance to start over in Chicago and new Cubs’ manager Dale Sveum has told everyone willing to listen that Stewart is his everyday starter at the hot corner. Stewart is not going to hit for a high average, but he could be a sneaky source for power as he clubbed 25 home runs two years ago for the Rockies and now calls Wrigley Field his home ballpark.Others worth considering: Pedro Alvarez (3B, PIT), Mike Aviles, (2B/SS/3B, BOS), Mat Gamel (3B, MIL), Jed Lowrie (SS/3B, HOU), Brent Morel (3B, CHW)

Outfield:

Late-Round TargetMark Trumbo, LAA, 1B/OF
Trumbo is a little behind the rest of his teammates this spring training thanks to a stress fracture in his right foot. He’s also trying to make the transition to third base, a move necessitated by the signing of Albert Pujols. Whether it be third, first, the outfield or DH, the Angels are going to do whatever they can to get Trumbo’s bat in the lineup as soon as he’s ready to go. Last year Trumbo finished second in the voting for AL Rookie of the Year as he led the Angels in both home runs (29) and RBIs (87). Anyone who has the ability to go 30-100 and play multiple positions is worth taking a chance on late.Other candidates: Melky Cabrera (SF, OF), Jeff Francoeur (KC, OF), Torii Hunter (LAA, OF), Carlos Lee (HOU, 1B/OF)

For Even Deeper LeaguesJose Tabata, PIT, OF
Before a quadriceps injury in June ruined his season, Tabata was off to a respectable start (.265, 39 R, 14 SB, .351 OBP in 71 games). He’s still just 23 years old and if healthy, should maintain his starting spot in right field and near the top of the Pirates’ line up. He’s definitely worth keeping an eye on this spring and once the season starts.Others worth considering: Alejandro De Aza (CHW, OF), Brandon Belt (SF, 1B/OF), Mike Carp (SEA, 1B/OF), Chris Heisey (CIN, OF), Bryan LaHair (CHC, OF), Cody Ross (BOS, OF), Alfonso Soriano (CHC, OF), Denard Span (MIN, OF), Eric Thames (TOR, OF)

Starting Pitching:

Late-Round TargetDerek Holland, TEX, SPC.J. Wilson is gone and Yu Darvish is getting all of the hype, but Holland could end up being the Rangers’ ace this season. A 16-game winner in 2011, Holland was at his best after the All-Star break. He went 9-1 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in the second half of the season and went 2-0 in four postseason starts, including 8 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 2 of the World Series against St. Louis. If he can build off of his second half performance and improve upon his numbers at home (4.69 ERA, 1.56 WHIP in 16 GS in ‘11), he could be an extremely valuable fantasy contributor.Other candidates: Jhoulys Chacin (COL, SP), Doug Fister (DET, SP), Jaime Garcia (STL, SP), Jeremy Hellickson (TB, SP), Ubaldo Jimenez (CLE, SP), Ervin Santana (LAA, SP), Max Scherzer (DET, SP)

For Even Deeper LeaguesCarlos Zambrano, MIA, SP
No one needed a change of scenery more than Zambrano, who will get another chance in Miami pitching for his friend and fellow Venezuelan, Ozzie Guillen. His volatile temperament is well documented, but this is also a guy who’s only 30 years old and once won 18 games. He may not throw as hard as he used to, but he has averaged more than six innings as a starter in his career with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He still has the talent to go along with his temper, but if he’s able to harness the former while controlling the latter for his new team, he could pay big dividends for both the Marlins’ and your fantasy rotation.Others worth considering: Erik Bedard (PIT, SP), Zach Britton (BAL, SP), Clay Buchholz (BOS, SP), Trevor Cahill (ARI, SP), R.A. Dickey (NYM, SP), Phil Hughes (NYY, SP), Jonathan Niese (NYM, SP), Jarrod Parker (OAK, SP), Brad Peacock (OAK, SP), Johan Santana (NYM, SP)

Relief Pitching:

Late-Round TargetJordan Walden, LAA, RP
Walden may have led the majors with 10 blown saves last season, but he also was successful 32 other times and he’s just 24 years old. Walden struck out 67 in 60 1/3 innings and if he improves his command (26 BB) chances are his other numbers (2.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) will go down. One stat that’s likely to go up this season is his saves total as the Angels improved their offense by signing Albert Pujols and also could get Kendrys Morales back. A 40-save season is not out of the question.Other candidates: Rafael Betancourt (COL, RP), Kyle Farnsworth (TB, RP), Carlos Marmol (CHC, RP), Joe Nathan (TEX, RP), Joakim Soria (KC, RP)

For Even Deeper LeaguesAndrew Cashner, SD, RP
Cashner started last season as a starter for the Cubs and promptly lasted all of 5 1/3 innings before suffering a rotator cuff injury that sidelined him until September. He was sent to San Diego in the Anthony Rizzo trade and although his future with the Padres may be as a starter, he will most likely work out of the bullpen this season. A power arm with 58 strikeouts in 65 innings, Cashner could end up as either the setup man for Huston Street or possibly the Padres’ closer should Street stumble.Others worth considering: Grant Balfour (OAK, RP), Javy Guerra (LAD, RP), Kenley Jansen (LAD, RP), Jason Motte (STL, RP), Addison Reed (CHW, RP), Sergio Santos (TOR, RP)